Thin section bearings for shaft sizes from 10mm to 80mm
Thin section bearings find wide application in fields like instrumentation, robotics, aerospace, medical equipment, cameras and optical instruments, where their unique properties are highly valued.
These bearings are particularly favoured in applications where space constraints or the need for weight reduction are critical considerations, making them indispensable components in various precision and high-performance systems.
Thin section bearings exhibit low rotational torque and high rotational accuracy, playing a crucial role in ensuring smooth and precise operation across a diverse range of applications. While primarily designed to withstand radial loads, they also demonstrate the capability to support axial loads, albeit with caution advised, especially when dealing with the 6700 series because of their shallower raceways.
Moreover, our chrome steel thin section bearings come with the added versatility of an outer ring flanged bearing option, providing customers with flexibility and adaptability to meet specific engineering requirements. Learn more in the product variants further down the page.
Thin section ball bearings
Chrome steel is the standard material for ball bearings thanks to its high load capacity and low noise properties. Chrome steel thin section bearings with a steel retainer and a suitable lubricant, can be used at temperatures of 120 °C constant or up to 150 °C intermittent. Above these temperatures, the load capacity of chrome steel is reduced, and the steel undergoes greater dimensional changes.
Chrome steel bearings aren't suitable for use in corrosive environments as the material is not corrosion resistant. Most of our chrome steel thin section bearings can be supplied with metal shields although the larger 6700 series bearings are only available with seals. Many sizes are available with rubber contact seals or low friction non-contact rubber seals.
Open bearings are supplied with a light oil lubrication. Shielded or sealed bearings are usually supplied with grease lubrication but shielded bearings can be offered with instrument oil for low speed, low friction applications.
Thanks to our in-house relubrication facility, these thin section bearings are also available with customer specified oils, greases or dry lubricants.
A one-piece crown cage is more common for the smallest and the thinnest section bearings because of its space constraints. All 6700 series bearings use a crown cage. Many 6800 and 6900 series bearings have a two-piece ribbon cage. Some sizes are also available with the high-speed TW nylon crown cage.
Pay attention to shaft and housing roundness. The inner and outer rings of these bearings are thin and easily distorted. Poor shaft or housing roundness will increase bearing noise and vibration.
Choosing the correct radial play for an application is even more important with thin section bearings. You can reduce the internal clearance (radial play) of a thin section bearing by as much as 80 per cent of the interference fit.
Click on INFO in the rows below to display technical drawings of the bearings with load and speed data.
Please note that the maximum loads and speeds are used in theoretical life calculations. It is recommended to use bearings at significantly less than the maximum load and speed ratings to ensure reasonable bearing life.
SMB Bearings is the official UK distributor of Sapporo Precision, manufacturer of EZO thin section ball bearings. These precision-engineered thin section ball bearings can be supplied open, shielded or sealed. Leanr more about the advantages of a thin section bearing here.
See Products Variants below for stainless steel and flanged options
See product table below for dimensions and technical drawings
Got further questions about thin section bearings? Get in touch with our experienced team today by emailing sales@smbbearings.com or fill in the contact form.
